Midshaft clavicle fractures: Current concepts

Abstract

Clavicle fractures are common fractures and the optimal treatment strategy remains debatable. The present paper reviews the available literature and current concepts in the management of displaced and/or shortened midshaft clavicle fractures.
Operative treatment leads to improved short-term functional outcomes, increased patient satisfaction, an earlier return to sports and lower rates of non-union compared with conservative treatment. In terms of cost-effectiveness, operative treatment also seems to be advantageous.
However, operative treatment is associated with an increased risk of complications and re-operations, while long-term shoulder functional outcomes are similar.
The optimal treatment strategy should be one tailor-made to the patient and his/her specific needs and expectations by utilizing a shared decision-making model.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2018;3:374-380. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.170033

Full text

EOR |   |  
DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.170033
www.efortopenreviews.org
Clavicle fractures are common fractures and the optimal
treatment strategy remains debatable. The present paper
reviews the available literature and current concepts in
the management of displaced and/or shortened midshaft
clavicle fractures.
Operative treatment leads to improved short-term func-
tional outcomes, increased patient satisfaction, an earlier
return to sports and lower rates of non-union compared
with conservative treatment. In terms of cost-effectiveness,
operative treatment also seems to be advantageous.
However, operative treatment is associated with an
increased risk of complications and re-operations, while
long-term shoulder functional outcomes are similar.
The optimal treatment strategy should be one tailor-made
to the patient and his/her specific needs and expectations
by utilizing a shared decision-making model.
Keywords: clavicle; fracture; midshaft; treatment; operative;
conservative; cost eectiveness; shared decision-making
Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2018;3:374-380.
DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.170033
Introduction
Clavicle fractures are common fractures, comprising 5%
to 10% of all fractures.1 They occur due to falls on the
lateral aspect of the shoulder, the outstretched hand or
due to high-energy direct impact over the bone. The inci-
dence of clavicle fractures has increased in recent years
and the operative treatment of these fractures has
increased disproportionately.2,3 Clavicle fractures are
most commonly classified according to the Allman clas-
sification and/or the Robinson classification. The location
and type of fracture is important in the decision-making
as it influences management strategies. This paper
focuses on the most common clavicle fractures, which
are those in the mid-diaphyseal third (Allman 1 and Rob-
inson 2).1,4-6 Described conservative treatment options
for the clavicle fracture consist of pain reduction by
temporary immobilization using a sling or collar and cuff
in combination with analgesics and/or kinesio tape.
Operative treatment comprises open reduction and
internal fixation (ORIF) using plates and screws or
intramedullary fixation (IMF), of which the titanium elas-
tic nail (TEN) is the most commonly used and described
option.7-16 Classical operative treatment indications are
open fractures, compromised skin, neurovascular com-
plications or an additional fracture of the scapular neck
(floating shoulder).17,18 Others have described relative
indications for operative management, which are dis-
placed midshaft clavicle fractures, a shortening of ⩾ 2
cm, age, activity level and dominant side.17,19
Even though the ancient Egyptians reported on the
fractured clavicle and numerous studies have been con-
ducted to fill the gaps in evidence, there is still no consen-
sus regarding the management of these fractures. In this
article, both conservative and operative treatment and the
current concepts will be discussed, based on the available
evidence.
Physical examination and radiological
assessment
During physical examination, a dropped shoulder on the
affected side, swelling and haematoma at the middle third
of the clavicle are usually observed. Often the fracture ele-
ments are palpable. Assessment of possible skin compro-
mise and neurovascular status is important. In addition to
the physical assessment, radiological assessment is part of
the diagnostic work-up.
Operative treatment
Current radiographic indicators for surgery are displace-
ment and shortening. Displacement is a reproducible
measure,20,21 but its implications for long-term results
remain unclear. There is no clear cut-off point that dis-
cerns which patients will benefit from operative manage-
ment. As for shortening, a decrease of > 10% in length is
suggested to affect scapular kinematics in vivo.22,23 It is
Midshaft clavicle fractures: current concepts
Paul Hoogervorst
Peter van Schie
Michel PJ van den Bekerom
3.1700EOR0010.1302/2058-5241.3.170033
research-article2018
Shoulder & Elbow

375
MIDSHAFT CLAVICLE FRACTURES: CURRENT CONCEPTS
reported that scapular upward rotation, posterior tilting
and internal rotation increase.22,24,25 A shortening of
> 2 cm or > 10% is presumed to be an indicator for
poorer outcomes and a possible increased risk of gleno-
humeral arthritis in those treated conservatively.19,26-34
Others report the that the amount of shortening is not
influential in the long-term functional outcomes.35-37 To
the authors’ knowledge, there is no universal standard-
ized method of measuring and imaging the fracture reliably
and accurately, which could account for these discrepan-
cies. The direction and magnification of the divergent radio-
graphs, as well as the patient's position, affect the imaging
and subsequent measurements.38-40 A variety of imaging
and measuring techniques are reported, ranging from a
tape measure 31 to anteroposterior (AP) panoramic radio-
graph views,19,29,35,37,41 tilted AP views (ranging from a 45°
craniocaudal to 45° caudocranial views)27,30,33,42,43 or CT
scans.36 Measuring shortening by comparing the frac-
tured side with the contralateral non-fractured side seems
less reliable than expected, since 30% of the population
has a physiological asymmetry of ⩾ 6 mm.44 Accurate and
reproducible imaging and measurement methods should
be developed if shortening is to be used as a radiographic
indicator for surgery.
Non-operative treatment
Conservative treatment consists of pain reduction by tem-
porary immobilization using a sling or collar and cuff with
or without analgesics. Although there are no clinical trials
on its efficacy as yet, kinesiotape is also used. The use of a
figure-of-eight bandage is not advised. Research from the
1980s and a recent study from 2015 compared conserva-
tive treatment with a sling and figure-of-eight band-
age.45,46 They showed that both techniques have similar
outcomes but that the patients in the latter group suffered
more from pressure sores in the axillae. Range of motion
exercises can be increased as tolerated to prevent adhe-
sive capsulitis.
An important complication of conservative treatment is
the development of a non-union, which occurs in 15% to
17% of conservatively treated patients.47-49 It appears that
this risk is highest in patients with clavicular fractures dis-
placed more than a shaft width or a shortening of > 2
cm.17,19 Approximately two-thirds of patients with a non-
union undergo operative management because of persis-
tent complaints.49
Other risks of conservative management include mal-
union and (temporary) neurological issues.19,30,50-52 Scapulo-
thoracic kinematics in patients with shortened clavicles
differ significantly from those in uninjured shoulders in
the resting position and in movement.22,23 These changes
do not seem to lead to decreased functional outcomes
after four months,43 but can be associated with an
increased risk of gleno-humeral arthritis.34 Several papers
demonstrate that corrective surgery for mal-union is chal-
lenging but will lead to good results.26,51 Late reconstruc-
tion of mal-union results in restoration of objectively
assessed muscle strength similar to those receiving imme-
diate fixation; however, there are subtle decreases in
endurance.53 The aforementioned arguments may lean
towards a predominantly conservative management and
operative management only being indicated for sympto-
matic mal- and non-unions.
ORIF using plates and screws
ORIF using plates and screws is considered the current
gold standard for the operative management of displaced
and/or shortened midshaft clavicular fractures (Fig. 1a).
The advantage of operative intervention is the restoration
and preservation of the natural anatomy and length of the
fractured clavicle. There are uniform reports of lower non-
union rates of approximately 2%.49,54,55 An improved
patient satisfaction and earlier return to work compared
with conservative treatment is also reported.47,48,52
As for all operative interventions, the risk of complica-
tions should not be ignored. Risks associated with opera-
tive management of the fractured clavicle include
neuropathy of the supraclavicular nerve, infection, pneu-
mothorax, implant failure and the need for hardware
removal due to hardware-related complaints.30 Nineteen
per cent of patients have persistent loss of sensation
around the scar and the anterior aspect of the chest wall
due to neuropathy of the supraclavicular nerve.54 A recent
randomized clinical trial (RCT) of 160 patients reported
10.7% of patients undergoing a re-intervention because
Fig. 1 a) Example of plate fixation of a clavicle fracture (patient
treated in OLVG Amsterdam); b) example of intramedullary
fixation of a clavicle fracture (patient treated in OLVG
Amsterdam).

376
of complications from ORIF within one year.54 The most
common reason for this was early implant failure, fol-
lowed by deep infection, late implant failure and non-
union. A database study involving 1350 patients found
that one in four patients underwent re-operation (24.6%)
within two years.56 Primary implant removal was most
common (77%); median time to implant removal was 12
months. A re-operation secondary to non-union, deep
infection and mal-union occurred in 2.6%, 2.6% and 1.1%
of the patients after a median of six, five and 14 months,
respectively.
Concerning the type of incision, patients are reported
to be cosmetically more satisfied when a necklace incision
is used compared with a longitudinal incision.57
Whether an operation leads to better shoulder function
is debatable.47,48,54 Short-term data show that ORIF using
plates and screws results in a more rapid return to normal
function compared with conservative treatment.47,48
Shoulder function after six weeks may therefore play a role
in choosing operative management.55 Long-term results
show no significant difference in functional outcomes
according to a recent meta-analysis of 614 patients.49
The type of plate can affect plate-related complica-
tions. A reconstruction plate is easily contoured to the
morphology of the clavicle, but biomechanical studies
show that it is a weaker construct than other plates such
as the Low Contact Dynamic Compression Plate (LC-DCP)
or an anatomically pre-contoured plate.58,59 A retrospec-
tive review of 111 patients reported that the use of recon-
struction plates leads to 5% hardware failure.60 Comparing
the LC-DCP plate with the reconstruction plate, more
plate-related complications are found in the latter, 1% ver-
sus 9%.61 Lower patient satisfaction and high rates of plate
prominence have led to the use of lower profile and
smaller plates. The position of the plate remains contro-
versial. Superior plating is the most commonly used tech-
nique, but anterior-inferior plating, anterior plating or
double plating with mini-fragment plates are described as
well.62-64 A biomechanical study comparing anterior and
superior plate placement showed that, for all fracture pat-
terns, more construct stiffness was achieved in axial com-
pression and with a superior plate, whereas more construct
stiffness was achieved in cantilever bending with an ante-
rior plate.65 Antero-inferior plating of midshaft clavicle
fractures results in lower hardware removal due to plate
prominence.62,66 It was found that anterior-inferior plating
reduces the time to union, but the location of the plate
does not seem to influence functional outcomes or infec-
tion rates.63
Dual mini fragment plating was investigated in a small
retrospective study (17 patients).64 Neither of these
patients required a second operation to remove at least
one of the plates within one year. No non-union was
reported and functional outcomes were similar to other
studies.52 Compared with single plating, dual plating is
biomechanically equivalent in axial loading and torsion.64
Intramedullary fixation
Another option in the operative management of the dis-
placed and/or shortened midshaft clavicle fracture is
using an intramedullary device. Classically these com-
prise Rockwood Pins and Hagie Pins, but the current
most used and described implant is the TEN (Fig. 1b).7-16
The use of TEN leads to equivalent results as the ORIF in
terms of function and union rates.16 The advantage of
this method is that the incision is smaller, causing less
tissue damage and superior cosmetic results.67 Besides
these clinical outcomes, it has been reported in a finite
element study that intramedullary treatment of the mid-
shaft clavicle fracture with a TEN could be preferable to
ORIF because it shows a stress distribution similar to the
intact clavicle.68
The disadvantages of the TEN are hardware migration,
secondary shortening, telescoping and the need for rou-
tine removal.9,13,15,16,67,69,70 Most of these complications
are attributed to the fact that the TEN aligns but does not
fix itself in the fracture elements. The re-intervention ratio
related to implant failures is reported to be in the range of
0% to 36%.7,10,71 In cases where the TEN is removed, this
can be done under local anaesthesia, but is more com-
monly done under general anaesthesia. In general, up to
100% of TENs are removed.9,13,15,16,67,69,70
A more recent development for intramedullary fixation
is the Sonoma CRx. Although the body of evidence con-
cerning this type of implant is small, it seems to lead to
similar functional outcomes and reduced rates of implant
removal. However, all papers report hardware failure of
up to 5.7%.72-76
Cost-eectiveness
In a society in which health costs continue to increase, it
is imperative to avoid unnecessary costs. Few data are
available on the cost-effectiveness of operative manage-
ment of the displaced and/or shortened midshaft clavicle
fracture. A study published in 2010 reported that cost-
effectiveness is not only defined by the actual cost of
treatment but was also highly dependent on the duration
and magnitude of functional benefit after operative man-
agement and the disability and increased time to union
associated with non-operative treatment.77 When func-
tional benefits persisted for > 9 years, operative manage-
ment using ORIF had a favourable value outcome.
Another study with a follow-up of 2.5 years concluded
that operatively managed patients cost more during their
hospital stay but missed fewer days of work (8.4 days ver-
sus 35.2 days), required less assistance for care at home

377
MIDSHAFT CLAVICLE FRACTURES: CURRENT CONCEPTS
(3 days versus 7 days) and incurred lower costs for physi-
cal therapy ($971.76 versus $1820).78 An overall cost
reduction of $5091.33 in favour of the operatively man-
aged patient was found.
Return to sport
For athletes and the active population, return rates and
time to return to sport can be important factors in decid-
ing the treatment modality. In case of non- or minimally
displaced midshaft clavicle fractures, the return rate to
sports was equal between the conservatively and opera-
tively managed patients.79 Time for return to sport was
significantly longer in the conservatively managed patient
when comparing the two treatment options for displaced
midshaft clavicle fractures; 21.5 weeks (12 to 78) versus
10.6 weeks (10 to 13).79
In this review, operative management using intramed-
ullary fixation was included.79 No statistically significant
differences were identified between ORIF and IMF groups
concerning return rates (98% versus 99%). In those treated
with ORIF, mean return time was 9.4 weeks (2 to 24); in
the IMF group, return time was 9.9 weeks (2 to 14). It was
concluded that operative management of displaced mid-
shaft fractures offers improved rates and times to return to
sport compared with non-operative management.
Shared decision-making
Defining the most suitable treatment for patients with
midshaft clavicle fractures is challenging. A frequently
used model is shared decision-making (SDM). It is widely
used in treatment strategies for diabetes mellitus, cardio-
vascular disease and cancer. SDM is on the more patient-
centred side of the spectrum, between paternalistic
decision-making and informed decision-making.
Joint decision-making is subject to several conditions:
•both the patient and the physician are involved in the
decision-making;
•both the patient and the physician exchange infor mation;
•both the patient and the physician indicate their prefer-
ences regarding diagnostic methods and treatments;
•both the patient and the physician agree with the final
decision.80
During a study in the Netherlands, the current daily
practice of shared decisional behaviour in clavicle fracture
treatment was evaluated.81 After the decision-making
moment a questionnaire was filled in. The mean score for
perceived degree of SDM was 74 out of 100. In 68% of
patients, the preferred role matched the actual role in mak-
ing the decision. Thirty-two per cent of patients would have
preferred either a less or a more active role. As a health pro-
vider it is meaningful to be aware of these nuances.
Conclusions
Operative treatment with either ORIF or IMF leads to
improved short-term functional outcomes, increased
patient satisfaction, an earlier return to sports and lower
rates of non-union compared with conservative treat-
ment. In terms of cost-effectiveness, operative treatment
seems to be advantageous. However, operative treatment
is associated with an increased risk of complications and
re-operations, while long-term shoulder functional out-
comes are similar.
Functional outcomes and union rates are similar
between ORIF and IMF. Both ORIF and IMF are subject to
implant-specific complications and should be evaluated
with the patient before opting for operative management.
The optimal treatment strategy should be one tailor-made
to the patient and his/her specific needs and expectations
by utilizing a shared decision-making model.
Further research on better discerning those who will ben-
efit most from operative management remains necessary. A
uniform method of imaging, measuring and reporting radi-
ological parameters as possible indicators for operative
management is a consideration for future studies.
ICMJE CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
None declared.
FUNDING STATEMENT
No benets in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial
party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
LICENCE
© 2018 The author(s)
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Commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) licence (https://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribu-
tion of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed.
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AUTHOR INFORMATION
OLVG Amsterdam, Department of Or thopaedics and Traumatology, Amsterdam.
Correspondence should be sent to: P. Hoogervorst, OLVG Amsterdam, Department
of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Oosterpark 9, 1091 AC Amsterdam.
Email: paul_hoogervorst@hotmail.com

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